Photo by Robert Huff. Used with permission of Connected by 25

Last week, Open Meadow students, staff, and board participated in the launch of an historic citywide effort that builds on Portland’s extraordinary civic energy with a singular commitment: connect every young Portlander to school, work and community by the age of 25.

Connected by 25 brings together more than three dozen leading business and civic partners who are stepping up with time, money and creative vision to change the lives of thousands of young Portlanders and put them on a path to success in adulthood. Open Meadow, along with the Portland Schools Foundation and over thirty others, are founding partners of the coalition.

Portland already offers a high quality of life for young people through innovative programs and creative vision, but it’s not enough.

Only half of Portland 10th-graders are meeting academic standards in reading. Less than half do in math.

Less than 20% of all Oregon high school graduates get a college degree.

Annual income is dropping for every segment of our population except college graduates and those with an advanced degree. People without a high school degree face the sharpest drop in earnings.

8,000 young Portlanders age 16-24 are not in school and not employed.

This effort speaks to the population that Open Meadow serves--a population that needs a stong voice to be seen and heard.

Please look for the articles that appeared in the Tribune and The Oregonian, as well as an audio piece aired on OPB that speaks about the event and features Open Meadow students.  We are excited about the prospects of this initiative and invite you to join us in this effort.